Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator David Norris raised the State’s role regarding waste collection companies. It is around assessing permit applications. Mergers between companies are not a matter for local authorities or for me. The consequence of a merger may well impact on waste collection but this is a competition and mergers issue. There has yet to be any decision or ruling from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission on the proposed merger raised by the Senator. Perhaps he raised a genuine issue but I have confidence that the commission will look at these issues and rule in time. I certainly cannot intervene in that process.